Segments in this Video

Screen to the President(02:09)

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In March 2011, pro-democracy protests turned violent and tens of thousands of people have been killed. President Bashar al- Assad came under scrutiny globally for his brutality during the Syrian civil war. Al-Ikhbariyah granted the BBC access to its stories and reporters. (Credits)

Pro-Regime Reporting(02:39)

Yara Saleh edits her segment about the Syrian Army clearing rebels out of the neighborhood of East Ghota. Al-Ikhbariyah employs 140 people and provides programming 24 hours a day. An editor refuses to be filmed because he would be in jeopardy if people knew worked at the station— reporters regularly receive death threats through social media or email.

President al- Assad's Mouthpiece(02:01)

Al-Ikhbariyah insists it provides objective reporting, but the Syrian army always appears in a positive light. Rebels bombed the news channel killing seven people. After relocating to Omayad, the attacks continued and the news director shows Nur Zorgui the damage caused by an explosion.

No One Killed(02:36)

Imad Sara, the news director, explains terrorism is the price for reporting the truth. BBC, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, and France 24 reports are biased towards the rebels. Twelve people were detained for questioning after the explosion and one man died.

A Famous Host(02:38)

Ruba Hajali prepares to host a television program honoring four journalists who died. She and her husband, Raed, live apart for security reasons. She misses being a mother, but feels Syria needs her as a reporter.

Television Program Begins(04:01)

Abu Amin, the mother of one of the slain journalists, calls her son a martyr. Hajali questions Omran Al-Zoubi, Syria's information Minister whether the media is open to all opinions. Hajali would resign if she felt she was being manipulated and wants freedom and democracy, but without bloodshed.

Syrian Arab Army(02:46)

Both sides of the war accuse each other of fabricating events for propaganda. The Syrian Arab Army rescued and Saleh and three of her colleagues from touring al-Tall, a neighborhood in Damascus. Because of shelling, Hatim Abu Yehia was killed.

Changed Perspectives(02:50)

Saleh moves into a more secure apartment in an area that supports Assad. Militia men stand sentry and a neighbor questions the video recording. Saleh recounts her kidnapping, assault, and being forced to record the video.

Forced to Wear a Hijab(02:43)

Saleh worries what will happen to women's rights if the opposition comes into power and has nightmares about Yehia's death. The regime believes Yehia was shot, but the rebels contend it was Syrian Army shell fire. The BBC has not been able to verify either.

Saleh is Famous(03:07)

Yara and two companions reappeared six days later praising the Syrian Army— al-Zoubi greeted them. Al-Ikhbariyah produced a docudrama about the experience. The news team debates whether they should include Yehia's murder, because his family hopes he is still alive.

Cameraman's Story(03:26)

Zorgui travels to Latakia, where a cameraman was shot twice. Fadi captured the attack on his camera. A bullet hit his hand and another in his chest.

Camera Kept Rolling(03:19)

Fadi's mother thought he would die. Zorgui accompanies Fadi to his doctor's appointment— he is determined to go back to work. Two of Al-Ikhabariyah's cameramen were killed in 2012.

Hajali Travels to Her Daughter(02:40)

Once a week, Hajali travels by bus to her daughter's undisclosed location. Syrian chaperones are required of other foreign journalists, but Hajali travels alone. She explains that she must be careful of what she says.

Reunited with Her Daughter(04:47)

At a checkpoint, Hajali is questioned by authorities about the documentary. Raed describes how he constantly calls Hajali when she is traveling and believes the rebels were brainwashed. Norgui asks about the future of Syrian media.

Preparing for the Evening Show(02:25)

European and Arab satellites threaten to remove Al-Ikhbariyah— Sara has a contingency plan he cannot reveal yet. Since filming, the television channel switched to a Russian satellite and the internet. Sara is still the news director.

Description

This film offers a unique insight into Al-Ikhbariyah, one of Syria's pro-regime TV channels in Damascus, meeting the reporters who are foot soldiers on the front line in the government's 'media war' against the outside world.